The Curious Case of Nadine Dorries

Having been slightly bored today, and following my outrage at Little Miss Dorries infanitle behaviour at the election of Speaker Bercow, I had another look at her blog.

Some gems that stand out follow.

because Bercow supported the 24 week abortion limit staying so ...

"it is for this reason, more than any other, that I shall make my commitment to guarantee, by any means at my disposal, that should John Bercow become Speaker, I will do my best to make sure that it is one of the shortest served appointments in the grand, and glorious, history of that coveted chair."

That's the spirit Nadsy. Forget parliamentary reform. Forget restoring the authority and reputation of parliament. Let's chuck another one out.

on a recent dinner with David Cameron
"The night ended as it began, with laughter.

Can you imagine Brown even knowing what I was talking about, if I were sitting next to him and I said 'just when you thought life couldn't get any better, along comes a Mint Baileys.' ?

Exactly. And it was good to see him laugh because we all know that there must be times during his day, when David the man, trapped within the pages of his frantic diary, cries somewhere inside."

I'm sure Brown wouldn't have had a clue, Nadsy, what you were on about, a bit like the rest of us. (anyone else lost?)

So, is this the greatest campaign tool at Labour's disposal?

I know she's had a hard time from Labour bloggers, and I hate to single one woman out. But when it's her, I don't know, it just seems wrong not to.

If you've developped a taste for it... here's more Dorries' insight into the world of the body politic.

I'm audaciously proud of this Labour government, but a change has gotta come...

At the Compass conference on Saturday there was a palpable sense of urgency in the room. Leading journos and politicos called for this moment to be seized. Most agreed a Labour government could do it. Though most too, were sceptical. At the risk of sounding like an X Factor finalist - some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this...
I'm proud of this Labour government. Voices from the right, and the left, who suggest the past 12 years have been void of any success enfuriate me, and undermine their valid argument that the Labour government must change direction.

At a time when consistent polling suggests the majority of the public favour increased spending in public services over tax cuts, the Labour Party should be in its element. Instead we're scrappling for ground. Only recently getting on the offensive and trying to expose Tory policy for what it is, dangerous and potentially socially crippling.
Many argue that to admit we, as a party and as a government, must change undermines our weakening authority. The old "You turn if you want to..." malarkey. I refute that. A government which admits to having to rethink strategy and decisions made in the good times, to suit a changed world, is a strong one.

So in these nine months or so, let's do it. Let's scrap ID cards. Let's forget Heathrow. Let's not replace Trident. I can imagine the Tory reaction, millionnaire's row would indeed have a field day at the subsequent PMQ's. Brown and the Cabinet would have to be on every TV sofa to justify the massive rethink. But people sitting at home in Labour heartlands, and throughout the country would be watching a Labour government strong enough to regenerate. A responsive government which is malleable to the situation of the day. I don't know if that would garner popularity, but I'm sure it would garner respect.
Scrapping these initiatives would free currently prescribed capital to start a massive council house building programme. There are 5 million people on waiting lists, living precarious lives unable to become fully contributing members of society. Let's make a dent in that number and fight a general election on an aim to slash it. This would wrestle a large chunk of the BNP agenda from their grip. No, we shouldn't legislate in response to a fascist party, but we ignore the reasons as to why many voted for them at our peril. This council house building scheme would be, by proxy, a massive job creation scheme, which could link with the Apprentices initiative that Brown has championned.

Let's have courage. Unpopularity yields opportunity. To embark on a new agenda for a new age would refresh a tired government and a tired Party. No saying sorry for tax rises Gordon. Promise electoral reform and put the Tories on the back foot. Treat us like idiots, yes, explain the differences of the systems, pick one and go for it. A referendum at the next election. In order to increase the painfully low comparative turnout at our elections, let's ensure the millions that are not registered to vote, are. A commitment to functional democracy. Not a bad agenda to pursue.
Finally, and it's passé, cliché, whatever, but for God's sake ditch the electorally toxic brand of New Labour. No, no old Labour. Just Labour. Reinstate the power of conference and ordinary members, and we may get more. Scream to high heaven the success of our investment in the NHS.

We can win the next election, it is pure laziness to suggest otherwise, we can win and it is imperative that we do win. But we've got to change, and quick. I don't make apologies for being proud of what we've done in government, but I have the audacity of hope that we can do better.

The plaster hurt, but it's off.

The past 24 hours have been perhaps the most politically compact and fast moving I've ever witnessed. When people talk of 'nights the government fell', you find it hard to imagine the atmosphere. Now, I don't. Last night was painful yet strangely exciting at the same time. When you're in it deep, chinks of light seem like gold dust, nay freaking diamonds. Labour councillor Brenda Hugill held onto Lawrence Hill ward in Bristol by nine votes. Sorry, by NINE votes. We heard it was lost, then it was won, then a recount, and finally the declaration was like the sweetest melody I've heard. A mumbling old man with a quiet, gravelly, deep voice reading out a list of numbers was akin to the greatest composition ever made. I might add a fabulous addition from Kerry McCarthy MP and myself of a whimpering 'booooo' after the BNP result was read out. Yes, that declaration was musical.

Perhaps that was the highlight of the night, bad news was to come. 8 out of 10 Labour councillors up for election lost out. As Lib Dem newly elected, victorious councillors entered to applause and cheers, you would be forgiven for thinking Obama had entered the Council House. He hadn't. Bitter? Hell yes. Easton should have gone Labour, a fantastic candidate lost out by about 100 votes. 100 votes that may have come out had Ms Blears kept her embittered, disloyal and horrendously hypocritical trap shut. In fact, Ms Blears, would you like to come and explain to the residents and the candidate for Easton, who has worked day and night for months, why you felt the need to assert your now inexistent authority over our Prime Minister the day before an election where the price of failure was higher than ever? Where the price was fascism. Good luck in those grass roots, snakes lurk.

I hope, now our cabinet has been fumigated of the rats that snuggled in the crevasses of government, we can fight this year on policy. Shouting from each and every rooftop the necessity of Labour solutions to global and local problems. We need a Labour government, we need Labour councillors, we need Labour MPs, we need Labour values. We don't need Purnell. Labour isn't finished because he and his like have left government, in fact we're strengthened. Tumours have been removed.

And Hazel Blears can rock the boat, but it aint our boat you're rocking love. You've jumped ship.

*I have to mention, that contrary to Twitter reports regarding my extraordinary mystic meg predicitons of 'taxi time' in the 'I keep Faith' post, I am not Gordon Brown. Nor have I ever been Gordon Brown, nor do I have any intention of becoming Gordon Brown. He is the best man for the job of being Gordon Brown, with the most experience, and I am backing him 100%.
Phew, glad that's on record.